Watchdog reopens probe into Lewis Skelton shooting

Lewis Skelton died in hospital after being Tasered and shot by a Humberside Police officer

The police watchdog has confirmed it has reopened an investigation into the death of a man who was shot by an officer.

Lewis Skelton, 31, was carrying an axe when he was shot twice in Hull in 2016 after he failed to respond to police instructions.

In 2021, an inquest ruled he had been unlawfully killed.

In April, the High Court ruled the Independent Office of Police Conduct (IOPC) must hold a new investigation, after the watchdog had previously said one was unnecessary.

The IOPC said the new investigation would determine whether there was an indication anyone serving with the police may have committed a criminal offence or behaved in a way that would justify bringing disciplinary proceedings.

Neil Hudgell, of Hudgell Solicitors, which represents Mr Skelton's family, said: "The IOPC must now do the right thing by Lewis Skelton and his family.

"There must be a full, fair, fearless and objective reinvestigation of the events which led to Lewis’s death in 2016.

"No bereaved family ought to need to go to court time, and time, and time again, to secure answers and accountability following a death at the hands of armed police.

"We regret that it took a decision of the High Court in this case for the IOPC to discharge its statutory duties."

Lewis Skelton was suffering from mental health issues at the time of the shooting

On 29 November 2016, Mr Skelton was Tasered four times and shot twice in the back by police after being seen carrying an axe in Francis Street. He later died in hospital.

The Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC), which has since been replaced by the IOPC, investigated and decided no further action should be taken against the officer who fired the fatal shots.

It found the officer had "acted in the genuine belief the use of force was necessary to protect the lives of members of the public nearby".

An inquest held in 2021 determined Mr Skelton, who had mental health issues, had been "unlawfully killed".

At the time the watchdog decided not to reinvestigate the shooting despite flaws in the initial review.

In the High Court ruling, Mrs Justice Hill said: "It must follow that if the flaws had not occurred, the decisions taken in the investigation might have been different."

The IOPC said a dedicated team, with no connection to the original IPCC investigation, had been set up to ensure the new investigation was completed "as quickly and proportionately as possible".

IOPC regional director Emily Barry said: "Our thoughts remain with Mr Skelton’s family and loved ones as well as all those whose lives have been affected by his death.

"While we are disappointed with the High Court ruling, which used a different interpretation of our reinvestigation policy than we did, we respect the judge’s findings.

"Having carefully considered their comments, we believe there is now a requirement for the IOPC to reopen the investigation into the shooting of Mr Skelton."

Lewis Skelton's family said their calls for a full investigation had been "ignored from the start"

Humberside Police said: "We have been made aware of the IOPC’s decision to reopen the investigation into the death of Lewis Skelton, following a judicial review of their decision not to reinvestigate.

"We will cooperate fully as required throughout the investigative process, however it would not be appropriate for us to comment further at this time.

"Our thoughts and condolences remain with Lewis’ family and friends, as well as the officers involved in this very sad and tragic event."

Following the High Court ruling in April, Mr Skelton's family said: "It is now seven-and-a-half years since Lewis was shot dead. There has still been no acceptance from Humberside Police, the officer, or the IOPC that anything really went wrong that day.

"All we have faced is constant denial and challenges at every stage and attempts to make us give up and go away.

"We have called for a proper investigation from the start – a chance for us to see justice for Lewis – and we’ve been ignored."

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